A DEATH
HAS OCCURRED
may 11, 1931 – march 9, 2026
Dr. Jerry Ross Kirk, age 94, of Cincinnati OH passed away on March 9, 2026 at his daughter and son-in-law’s home, surrounded by his loving wife Patricia and family.
Jerry was born May 11, 1931, in Seattle, WA, beloved second son of the late Douglas and Gladys (Cowden) Kirk. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only sibling Douglas G. Kirk.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons Timothy (Sally) Kirk and Stephen (Amy) Kirk; daughters Kimberly (Scott) Hahn, Kari (Mark) Harrington, and Kristi (Rob) Holsclaw; 28 grandchildren plus 19 spouses; 66 great-grandchildren plus1 spouse with three great grandchildren on the way.
Jerry was a 1949 graduate of Queen Anne High School where he was a basketball and tennis star. He then attended the University of Washington where he distinguished himself as an orator, a basketball player, and captain of the tennis team. In addition, after a memorable retreat in Colorado with Young Life, Jerry committed his life to Christ and brought that desire to share the Lord to two different Young Life Clubs that he led in Seattle while attending the U.
Jerry was led to pursue his Masters of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and later received honorary doctorates from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, and from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. While in Pittsburgh, he started the first two Young Life Clubs east of the Mississippi. During seminary Jerry met the love of his life, Patricia. They wed in 1956 in Pittsburgh, where he began to pastor at the Mt. Lebanon Pres. Church. He became a senior pastor at the New Wilmington Pres. Church in New Wilmington, PA, and then the College Hill Pres. Church in Cincinnati, OH, for more than 20 years. During this time, Jerry and Patty welcomed five children into their family.
Jerry then left the pastorate to found the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families to fight pornography and to uphold purity and chastity. He later received honorary doctorates from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, and from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. In his later years, he developed the Prayer Covenant, a prayer of commitment shared with millions around the world, drawing people closer to Jesus by committing themselves to the Lord and to following Jesus together. From that, Jerry established Jesus Covenant Prayer Partners which were 8 groups of leaders from the ministry as well as from the marketplace who bound their lives together to meet monthly by conference calls/ Zoom calls to pray for each other and share the word together. He was still involved until February 2026.
Jerry was a beloved husband, father, Papa, and Great-Papa. He led many people to know Jesus and to follow him, both as a wonderful pastor, friend, and a shepherd to pastors. He touched many lives throughout the world and offered comfort, support and wisdom to all. He will be deeply missed.
The Visitation and Memorial Service for Dr. Jerry Kirk will be at Hope Church 4934 Western Row Road Mason, OH Saturday, March 21st. The visitation will be from noon to 3pm with the Memorial Service immediately following. The Service will be streamed live at https://www.hopemason.org/live
Memorial contributions can be made by mail to The Prayer Covenant P.O. Box 281 New Albany, OH 43054 or online using https://theprayercovenant.org/donate/ or by mail to Young Life Frontier Ranch, P.O. Box 2025, Buena Vista, CO 81211 Thank you.
Share tributes with his family at kariharr12@aol.com
Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Hope Church
Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM
Hope Church
“Jerry was a ‘HUMBLE’ servant after the Heart of God: H-onored God and His inerrant Word, U-nited with God through daily prayer, M-aintained a ‘permission giving’ leadership style, B-elieved in facilitating the release of God’s unique Gifts of every Staff member and congregant, L-oved God, his family, and others with a self-sacrificial love, and E-quipped all he met to “serve Jesus as Lord!” Jerry was a ‘ brother in Christ’, a ‘sincere friend’’, and ‘model pastor’ to me. To God be the Glory for the privilege of knowing Jerry for 55 years and observing God’s ministries expressed through him. Ron Rand Ft. Myers, FL”
03/16/2026
“I was blest to have the honor to serve with Jerry in two of his transformational missions – The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families and The Prayer Covenant. Over the last seven years, Jerry became a spiritual mentor to me. I loved walking and living with Jerry as we shared our love for Christ and His love for us. Jerry will continue to live in my heart and soul. I daily read, pray and reflect on the prayers from The Prayer Covenant. I pray that I will walk in his footsteps as I continue my journey to salvation. With deepest sympathy. Terry Dunn Retired CEO and President of JE Dunn Construction Co.”
03/16/2026
“Jerry had a deep impact on my life while I was pastoring in Ohio. I never met anyone who had a deeper awareness of God’s love for them, and that had an effect on my life that continues today.”
03/16/2026
“God’s LOVINGKINDNESS and COMPASSION and GRACE so filled Pastor Jerry that his cup overflowed to his flock! You always felt accepted, special, and loved! What I always heard from the pulpit was Romans 12:1-2 which literally TRANSFORMED my life to where I am still a disciple of our Lord Jesus continuing even more so in His Word! Thank You, Lord, for our shepherd Jerry! To You be the Glory for what You did through our brother Jerry!”
03/15/2026
“My pastor at College Hill Pres in the late 70’s early 80’s where my faith was fed and nurtured. Best memory is when Pastor Jerry had to stop in the middle of his sermon to sing praise to the Lord. He will be remembered and missed.”
03/13/2026
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